Eight speed automatic transmission

ABSTRACT

An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either clutches or brakes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/909,576 filed on Apr. 2, 2007. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates generally to a multiple speed automatictransmission having a plurality of planetary gear sets and a pluralityof torque transmitting devices and more particularly to an eight speedautomatic transmission having four planetary gear sets and a pluralityof torque transmitting clutches and brakes.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute priorart.

A typical multiple speed automatic transmission uses a combination offriction clutches, planetary gear arrangements and fixedinterconnections to achieve a plurality of gear ratios. The number andphysical arrangement of the planetary gear sets, generally, are dictatedby packaging, cost and desired speed ratios.

While current automatic transmissions achieve their intended purpose,the need for new and improved transmission configurations which exhibitimproved performance, especially from the standpoints of efficiency,responsiveness and smoothness and improved packaging, primarily reducedsize and weight, is essentially constant. Accordingly, there is a needfor an improved, cost-effective, compact multiple speed automatictransmission.

SUMMARY

An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an outputmember, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and aplurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gearsets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmittingdevices may be either clutches or brakes.

One embodiment of the transmission of the present invention includes aninput member, an output member, and first, second, third and fourthplanetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member, and a ringgear, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with thesun gear of the first planetary gear set and the carrier member of thesecond planetary gear set and the output member is continuouslyinterconnected with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set.A first interconnecting member continuously interconnects the ring gearof the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the thirdplanetary gear set. A second interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnects the sun gear of the second planetary gear set with the sungear of the third planetary gear set. A third interconnecting membercontinuously interconnects the ring gear of the third planetary gear setwith the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set. A first torquetransmitting device is selectively engageable to interconnect at leastone of the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the sun gear ofthe third planetary gear set with the carrier member of the firstplanetary gear set. A second torque transmitting device is selectivelyengageable to interconnect the ring gear of the second planetary gearset with at least one of the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset and the output member. A third torque transmitting device isselectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gear ofthe third planetary gear set and the sun gear of the second planetarygear set with at least one of the ring gear of the third planetary gearset and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set. A fourth torquetransmitting device is selectively engageable to interconnect thecarrier member of the first planetary gear with a stationary member. Afifth torque transmitting device is selectively engageable tointerconnect the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set with thestationary member. The torque transmitting devices are selectivelyengageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eightforward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between theinput member and the output member.

Another embodiment of the transmission of the present invention includesan input member, an output member, and first, second, third and fourthplanetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member, and a ringgear, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with thecarrier member of the first planetary gear set and the ring gear of thesecond planetary gear set and the output member is continuouslyinterconnected with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set.A first interconnecting member continuously interconnects the sun gearof the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the thirdplanetary gear set. A second interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnects the sun gear of the second planetary gear set with the sungear of the third planetary gear set. A third interconnecting membercontinuously interconnects the ring gear of the third planetary gear setwith the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set. A first torquetransmitting device is selectively engageable to interconnect the ringgear of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of thesecond planetary gear set. A second torque transmitting device isselectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gear ofthe second planetary gear set and the sun gear of the third planetarygear set with the ring gear of the first planetary gear set. A thirdtorque transmitting device is selectively engageable to interconnect atleast one of the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set and theoutput member with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set.A fourth torque transmitting device is selectively engageable tointerconnect at least one of the sun gear of the first planetary gearset and the carrier member of the third planetary gear set with astationary member. A fifth torque transmitting device is selectivelyengageable to interconnect the ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset with the stationary member. The torque transmitting devices areselectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish atleast eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratiobetween the input member and the output member.

Yet another embodiment of the transmission of the present inventionincludes an input member, an output member, and first, second, third andfourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member, anda ring gear, wherein the input member is continuously interconnectedwith the ring gear of the first planetary gear set and the carriermember of the second planetary gear set and the output member iscontinuously interconnected with the ring gear of the fourth planetarygear set. A first interconnecting member continuously interconnects thesun gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the thirdplanetary gear set. A second interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnects the sun gear of the second planetary gear set with thering gear of the third planetary gear set. A third interconnectingmember continuously interconnects the carrier member of the thirdplanetary gear set with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset. A first torque transmitting device is selectively engageable tointerconnect the ring gear of the second planetary gear set with atleast one of the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the sungear of the first planetary gear set. A second torque transmittingdevice is selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of thesecond planetary gear set with the carrier member of the first planetarygear set. A third torque transmitting device is selectively engageableto interconnect at least one of the ring gear of the fourth planetarygear set and the output member with the carrier member of the firstplanetary gear set. A fourth torque transmitting device is selectivelyengageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gear of the secondplanetary gear set and the ring gear of the third planetary gear setwith a stationary member. A fifth torque transmitting device isselectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the fourthplanetary gear set with the stationary member. The torque transmittingdevices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three toestablish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reversespeed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent by reference to the following description and appended drawingswherein like reference numbers refer to the same component, element orfeature.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a lever diagram of a first embodiment of an eight speedautomatic transmission according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the first embodiment of an eight speedautomatic transmission according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a truth table presenting the state of engagement of thevarious torque transmitting clutches and brakes in each of the availableforward and reverse speeds or gear ratios of the automatic transmissionillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a lever diagram of a second embodiment of an eight speedautomatic transmission according to the present;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the second embodiment of an eight speedautomatic transmission according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a truth table presenting the state of engagement of thevarious torque transmitting clutches and brakes in each of the availableforward and reverse speeds or gear ratios of the automatic transmissionillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a lever diagram of a third embodiment of an eight speedautomatic transmission according to the present;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the third embodiment of an eight speedautomatic transmission according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a truth table presenting the state of engagement of thevarious torque transmitting clutches and brakes in each of the availableforward and reverse speeds or gear ratios of the automatic transmissionillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

At the outset, it should be appreciated that in the particular exampleprovided, the eight speed automatic transmission of the presentinvention has an arrangement of permanent mechanical connections betweenthe elements of the four planetary gear sets. These permanent mechanicalconnections relate the transmission embodiments. More specifically, afirst component or element of a first planetary gear set is permanentlycoupled to a first component or element of a second planetary gear set.A third component or element of the first planetary gear set ispermanently coupled to a third component or element of a third planetarygear set. A second component or element of the second planetary gear setis permanently coupled to a second component or element of the thirdplanetary gear set. Finally, a first component or element of the thirdplanetary gear set is permanently coupled to a first component orelement of a fourth planetary gear set.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of an eight speed automatictransmission 10 is illustrated in a lever diagram format. A leverdiagram is a schematic representation of the components of a mechanicaldevice such as an automatic transmission. Each individual leverrepresents a planetary gear set. wherein the three basic mechanicalcomponents of said planetary gear set are each represented by a node.Therefore, a single lever contains three nodes: one for the sun gearmember, one for the planet gear carrier member, and one for the ringgear member. The relative length between the nodes of each lever can beused to represent the ring-to-sun ratio of each respective gear set.These lever ratios, in turn, are used to vary the gear ratios of thetransmission in order to achieve appropriate ratios and an appropriateratio progression. Mechanical couplings or interconnections between thenodes of the various planetary gear sets are illustrated by thin,horizontal lines and torque transmitting devices such as clutches andbrakes are presented as interleaved fingers. If the device is a brake,one set of the fingers is grounded. Further explanation of the format,purpose and use of lever diagrams can be found in SAE Paper 810102, “TheLever Analogy: A New Tool in Transmission Analysis” by Benford andLeising, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.

The automatic transmission 10 includes an input shaft or member 12, afirst planetary gear set 14 having three nodes: a first node 14A, asecond node 14B and a third node 14C, a second planetary gear set 16having three nodes: a first node 16A, a second node 16B and a third node16C, a third planetary gear set 18 having three nodes: a first node 18A,a second node 18B and a third node 18C, a fourth planetary gear set 20having three nodes: a first node 20A, a second node 20B and a third node20C and an output shaft or member 22. The first node 14A of the firstplanetary gear set 14 is coupled to the first node 16A of the secondplanetary gear set 16. The third node 14C of the first planetary gearset 14 is coupled to the third node 18C of the third planetary gear set18. The second node 16B of the second planetary gear set 16 is coupledto the second node 18B of the third planetary gear set 18. The firstnode 18A of the third planetary gear set 18 is coupled to the first node20A of the fourth planetary gear set 20.

The input shaft or member 12 is coupled to the first node 14A of thefirst planetary gear set 14. The output shaft or member 22 is coupled tothe third node 20C of the fourth planetary gear set 20. A first clutch26 selectively connects the second node 14B of the first planetary gearset 14 to the second node 16B of the second planetary gear set 16. Asecond clutch 28 selectively connects the third node 16C of the secondplanetary gear set 16 to the third node 20C of the fourth planetary gearset 20 and the output shaft or member 22. A third clutch 32 selectivelyconnects the second node 18B of the third planetary gear set 18 to thefirst node 20A of the fourth planetary gear set 20. A first brake 36selectively connects the second node 14B of the first planetary gear set14 to ground, stationary member, or transmission housing 40. A secondbrake 38 selectively connects the second node 20B of the fourthplanetary gear set 20 to ground, stationary member, or transmissionhousing 40.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a stick diagram presents a schematic layout ofthe first embodiment of the eight speed transmission 10 according to thepresent invention. In FIG. 2, the numbering from the lever diagram ofFIG. 1 is carried over. The clutches, brakes and couplings arecorrespondingly presented whereas the nodes of the planetary gear sets14, 16, 18 and 20 now appear as components of planetary gear sets such asun gear members, ring gear members and planet gear carrier membershaving planet gears.

For example, the transmission 10 includes the input shaft or member 12which is coupled to and directly drives a first sun gear member 14A ofthe first planetary gear set 14. An extension of the input shaft ormember 12 is connected to a second planet carrier member 16A of thesecond planetary gear set 16. The second planet carrier member 16Aincludes a plurality of planet gears 16D rotatably disposed thereon. Theplanet gears 16D are each configured to intermesh with both the sun gearmember 16B and the ring gear member 16C. The output shaft or member 22is coupled to and directly driven by a fourth planet carrier member 20Cof the fourth planetary gear set 20. The fourth planet carrier member20C includes a plurality of planet gears 20D rotatably disposed thereon.The planet gears 20D are each configured to intermesh with both the sungear member 20A and the ring gear member 20B.

A first clutch 26 selectively interconnects a first planet carriermember 14B of the first planetary gear set 14 with a second sun gearmember 16B of the second planetary gear set 16 and a third sun gearmember 18B of the third planetary gear set 18. The first planet carriermember 14B includes a plurality of pairs of planet gears 14D, 14Erotatably disposed thereon. The planet gears 14E are configured to eachintermesh with both the sun gear member 14A and the planet gears 14D.The planet gears 14D are configured to each intermesh with both theplanet gears 14E and the ring gear member 14C. A second clutch 28selectively connects a second ring gear member 16C of the secondplanetary gear set 16 to the fourth planet carrier member 20C of thefourth planetary gear set 20 and the output shaft or member 22. A thirdclutch 32 selectively interconnects the second sun gear member 16B ofthe second planetary gear set 16 and the third sun gear member 18B ofthe third planetary gear set 18 with a third ring gear member 18A of thethird planetary gear set 18 and a fourth sun gear member 20A of thefourth planetary gear set 20. A first brake 36 connects the first planetcarrier member 14B of the first planetary gear set 14 to ground,stationary member, or transmission housing 40. A second brake 38connects a fourth ring gear member 20B of the fourth planetary gear set20 to ground, stationary member, or transmission housing 40.

A first shaft, quill or interconnecting member 42 couples a first ringgear member 14C of the first planetary gear set 14 to a third planetcarrier member 18C of the third planetary gear set 18. The third planetcarrier member 18C includes a plurality of planet gears 18D rotatablydisposed thereon. The planet gears 18D are each configured to intermeshwith both the sun gear member 18B and the ring gear member 18A. A secondshaft, quill or interconnecting member 44 couples the first planetcarrier member 14B of the first planetary gear set 14 to the firstclutch 26. A third shaft, quill or interconnecting member 46 couples thefirst clutch 26 to the second sun gear member 16B of the secondplanetary gear set 16, the third sun gear member 18B of the thirdplanetary gear set 18 and the third clutch 32. A fourth shaft, quill orinterconnecting member 48 couples the second ring gear member 16C of thesecond planetary gear set 16 to the second clutch 28. A fifth shaft,quill or interconnecting member 56 couples the third ring gear member18A of the third planetary gear set 18, the third clutch 32 and thefourth sun gear member 20A of the fourth planetary gear set 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation of the first embodiment ofthe eight speed automatic transmission 10 will be described. It will beappreciated that the automatic transmission 10 is capable oftransmitting torque from the input shaft or member 12 to the outputshaft or member 22 in eight forward speed or torque ratios and onereverse speed or torque ratio. Each forward and reverse speed or torqueratio is attained by engagement of a combination of three of theclutches and brakes as will be explained below. FIG. 3 is a truth tablepresenting the various combinations of clutches and brakes that areactivated or engaged to achieve the various gear states. Actualnumerical gear ratios of the various gear states are also presentedalthough it should be appreciated that these numerical values areexemplary only and that they may be adjusted over significant ranges toaccommodate various applications and operational criteria of theautomatic transmission 10.

To establish forward and reverse speed ratios, three torque transmittingdevices are engaged for each gear state. The engaged clutches and brakesare represented by an “X” in each respective row. For example, toestablish reverse gear, the first brake 36, the second brake 38 and thesecond clutch 28 are engaged or activated. The first brake 36 groundsthe first planet carrier member 14B of the first planetary gear set 14.The second brake 38 grounds the fourth ring gear member 20B of thefourth planetary gear set 20. The second clutch 28 interconnects thesecond ring gear member 16C of the second planetary gear set 16 throughthe fourth shaft, quill or interconnecting member 48 with the fourthplanet carrier member 20C of the fourth planetary gear set 20 and theoutput shaft or member 22.

Likewise, the eight forward ratios are achieved through differentcombinations of clutch and brake engagement as shown in FIG. 3.

It will be appreciated that the operation and gear states of the firstembodiment of the eight speed automatic transmission 10 assume, first ofall, that the brakes and clutches not specifically referenced in a givengear state are inactive or disengaged and, second of all, that duringgear member shifts, i.e., changes of gear state, between at leastadjacent gear states, a clutch or brake engaged or activated in bothgear states will remain engaged or activated.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a lever diagram for a second embodiment of aneight speed automatic transmission 100 is illustrated. The automatictransmission 100 includes an input shaft or member 112, a firstplanetary gear set 114 having three nodes: a first node 114A, a secondnode 114B and a third node 114C, a second planetary gear set 116 havingthree nodes: a first node 116A, a second node 116B and a third node116C, a third planetary gear set 118 having three nodes: a first node118A, a second node 118B and a third node 118C, a fourth planetary gearset 120 having three nodes: a first node 120A, a second node 120B and athird node 120C and an output shaft or member 122. The first node 114Aof the first planetary gear set 114 is coupled to the first node 116A ofthe second planetary gear set 116. The third node 114C of the firstplanetary gear set 114 is coupled to the third node 118C of the thirdplanetary gear set 118. The second node 116B of the second planetarygear set 116 is coupled to the second node 118B of the third planetarygear set 118. The first node 118A of the third planetary gear set 118 iscoupled to the first node 120A of the fourth planetary gear set 120.

The input shaft or member 112 is coupled to the first node 114A of thefirst planetary gear set 114. The output shaft or member 122 is coupledto the third node 120C of the fourth planetary gear set 120. A firstclutch 126 selectively connects the second node 114B of the firstplanetary gear set 114 to the third node 116C of the second planetarygear set 116. A second clutch 128 selectively connects the second node114B of the first planetary gear set 114 to the second node 116B of thesecond planetary gear set 116. A third clutch 132 selectively connectsthe third node 116C of the second planetary gear set 116 to the thirdnode 120C of the fourth planetary gear set 120. A first brake 136selectively connects the third node 114C of the first planetary gear set114 to ground, stationary member, or transmission housing 140. A secondbrake 138 selectively connects the second node 120B of the fourthplanetary gear set 120 to ground, stationary member, or transmissionhousing 140.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a stick diagram presents a schematic layout ofthe second embodiment of the eight speed transmission 100 according tothe present invention. In FIG. 5, the numbering from the lever diagramof FIG. 4 is carried over. The clutches, brakes and couplings arecorrespondingly presented whereas the nodes of the planetary gear sets114, 116, 118 and 120 now appear as components of planetary gear setssuch a sun gear members, ring gear members and planet carrier membershaving planet gears.

The transmission 100 includes the input shaft or member 112 which iscoupled to and directly drives a first planet carrier member 114A of thefirst planetary gear set 114 and a second ring 116A of the secondplanetary gear set 116. The first planet carrier member 114A includes aplurality of planet gears 114D which are rotatably disposed thereon. Theplanet gears 114D are each configured to intermesh with both the sungear member 114C and the ring gear member 114B. The first clutch 126selectively connects a first ring gear member 114B of the firstplanetary gear set 114 to a second planet carrier member 116C of thesecond planetary gear set 116. The second planet carrier member 116Cincludes a plurality of planet gears 116D which are rotatably disposedthereon. The planet gears 116D are each configured to intermesh withboth the sun gear member 116B and the ring gear member 116A. The secondclutch 128 selectively interconnects the first ring gear member 114B ofthe first planetary gear set 114 with a second sun gear member 116B ofthe second planetary gear set 116 and a third sun gear member 118B ofthe third planetary gear set 118. The third clutch 132 selectivelyinterconnects the second planet carrier member 116C of the secondplanetary gear set 116 with a fourth planet carrier member 120C of thefourth planetary gear set 120 and the output shaft or member 122. Thefourth planet carrier member 120C includes a plurality of planet gears120D which are rotatably disposed thereon. The planet gears 120D areconfigured to each intermesh with both the sun gear member 120A and thering gear member 120B. A first brake 136 selectively interconnects afirst sun gear member 114C of the first planetary gear set 114 and athird planet carrier member 118C of the third planetary gear set 118 toground, stationary member, or transmission housing 140. The third planetcarrier member 118C includes a plurality of pairs of planet gears 118D,118E which are rotatably disposed thereon. The planet gears 118D areconfigured to each intermesh with both the planet gears 118E and thering gear member 118A. The planet gears 118E are configured to eachintermesh with both the planet gears 118D and the sun gear member 118B.A second brake 138 selectively connects a fourth ring gear member 120Bof the fourth planetary gear set 120 to ground, stationary member, ortransmission housing 140.

A first shaft, quill or interconnecting member 142 couples the first sungear member 114C of the first planetary gear set 114 and the first brake136 to the third planet carrier member 118C of the third planetary gearset 118. A second shaft, quill or interconnecting member 144 couples thefirst ring gear member 114B of the first planetary gear set 114 to thefirst clutch 126 and the second clutch 128. A third shaft, quill orinterconnecting member 146 couples the first clutch 126 to the secondplanet carrier member 116C of the second planetary gear set 116. Afourth shaft, quill or interconnecting member 148 couples the second sungear member 116B of the second planetary gear set 116 and the third sungear member 118B of the third planetary gear set 118 to the secondclutch 128. A fifth shaft, quill or interconnecting member 152 couples athird ring gear member 118A of the third planetary gear set 118 to afourth sun gear member 120A of the fourth planetary gear set 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation of the second embodimentof the eight speed automatic transmission 100 will be described. It willbe appreciated that the automatic transmission 100 is capable oftransmitting torque from the input shaft or member 112 to the outputshaft or member 122 in eight forward speed or torque ratios and onereverse speed or torque ratio. Each forward and reverse speed or torqueratio is attained by engagement of a combination of three of theclutches and brakes as will be explained below. FIG. 6 is a truth tablepresenting the various combinations of clutches and brakes that areactivated or engaged to achieve the various gear states. Actualnumerical gear ratios of the various gear states are also presentedalthough it should be appreciated that these numerical values areexemplary only and that they may be adjusted over significant ranges toaccommodate various applications and operational criteria of theautomatic transmission 100.

To establish forward and reverse speed ratios, three torque transmittingdevices are engaged for each gear state. The engaged clutches and brakesare represented by an “X” in each respective row. For example, toestablish reverse gear, the first brake 136, the second brake 138 andthe third clutch 132 are activated or engaged. The first brake 136grounds the first sun gear member 114C of the first planetary gear set114 and the third planet carrier member 118C of the third planetary gearset 118. The second brake 138 grounds the fourth ring gear member 120Bof the fourth planetary gear set 120. The third clutch 132 interconnectsthe second planet carrier member 116C of the second planetary gear set116 to the fourth planet carrier member 120C of the fourth planetarygear set 120 and the output shaft or member 122. Similarly, the eightforward ratios are achieved through different combinations of clutch andbrake engagement as shown in FIG. 6.

It will be appreciated that the operation and gear states of the eightspeed automatic transmission 100 assume, first of all, that the brakesand clutches not specifically referenced in a given gear state areinactive or disengaged and, second of all, that during gear membershifts, i.e., changes of gear state, between at least adjacent gearstates, a clutch or brake engaged or activated in both gear states willremain engaged or activated.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a lever diagram for a third embodiment of aneight speed automatic transmission 200 is illustrated. The automatictransmission 200 includes an input shaft or member 212, a firstplanetary gear set 214 having three nodes: a first node 214A, a secondnode 214B and a third node 214C, a second planetary gear set 216 havingthree nodes: a first node 216A, a second node 216B and a third node216C, a third planetary gear set 218 having three nodes: a first node218A, a second node 218B and a third node 218C, a fourth planetary gearset 220 having three nodes: a first node 220A, a second node 220B and athird node 220C and an output shaft or member 222. The first node 214Aof the first planetary gear set 214 is coupled to the first node 216A ofthe second planetary gear set 216. The third node 214C of the firstplanetary gear set 214 is coupled to the third node 218C of the thirdplanetary gear set 218. The second node 216B of the second planetarygear set 216 is coupled to the second node 218B of the third planetarygear set 218. The first node 218A of the third planetary gear set 218 iscoupled to the first node 220A of the fourth planetary gear set 220.

The input shaft or member 212 is coupled to the first node 216A of thesecond planetary gear set 216 and the first node 214A of the firstplanetary gear set 214. The output shaft or member 222 is coupled to thesecond node 220B of the fourth planetary gear set 220. A first clutch226 selectively connects the third node 214C of the first planetary gearset 214 to the third node 216C of the second planetary gear set 216. Asecond clutch 228 selectively connects the second node 214B of the firstplanetary gear set 214 to the third node 216C of the second planetarygear set 216. A third clutch 232 selectively connects the second node214B of the first planetary gear set 214 to the second node 220B of thefourth planetary gear set 220 and the output shaft or member 222. Afirst brake 236 selectively connects the second node 216B of the secondplanetary gear set 216 to ground, stationary member, or transmissionhousing 240. A second brake 238 selectively connects the third node 220Cof the fourth planetary gear set 220 to ground, stationary member, ortransmission housing 240.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a stick diagram presents a schematic layout ofthe third embodiment of the eight speed transmission 200 according tothe present invention. In FIG. 8, the numbering from the lever diagramof FIG. 7 is carried over. The clutches, brakes and couplings arecorrespondingly presented whereas the nodes of the planetary gear setsnow appear as components of planetary gear sets such a sun gear members,ring gear members and planet carrier members having planet gears.

The transmission 200 includes the input shaft or member 212 which iscoupled to and directly drives a second planet carrier member 216A ofthe second planetary gear set 216 and a first ring gear member 214A ofthe first planetary gear set 214. The second planet carrier member 216Aincludes a plurality of planet gears 216D which are rotatably disposedthereon. The planet gears 216D are configured to each intermesh withboth the sun gear member 216B and the ring gear member 216C. The outputshaft or member 222 is coupled to and directly driven by a fourth ringgear member 220B of the fourth planetary gear set 220. The first clutch226 selectively interconnects a second ring gear member 216C of thesecond planetary gear set 216 with a first sun gear member 214C of thefirst planetary gear set 214 and a third sun gear member 218C of thethird planetary gear set 218. The second clutch 228 selectively connectsthe second ring gear member 216C of the second planetary gear set 216 toa first planet carrier member 214B of the first planetary gear set 214.The first planet carrier member 214B includes a plurality of planetgears 214D rotatably disposed thereon. The planet gears 214D areconfigured to each intermesh with both the sun gear member 214C and thering gear member 214A. The third clutch 232 selectively interconnectsthe first planet carrier member 214B of the first planetary gear set 214with the fourth ring gear member 220B of the fourth planetary gear set220 and the output shaft or member 222. The first brake 236interconnects a second sun gear member 216B of the second planetary gearset 216 and a third ring gear member 218B of the third planetary gearset 218 to ground, stationary member, or transmission housing 240. Thesecond brake 238 connects a fourth sun gear member 220C of the fourthplanetary gear set 220 to ground, stationary member, or transmissionhousing 240.

A first shaft, quill or interconnecting member 242 couples the secondsun gear member 216B of the second planetary gear set 216 and the thirdring gear member 218B of the third planetary gear set 218 to the firstbrake 236. A second shaft, quill or interconnecting member 244 couplesthe second ring gear member 216C of the second planetary gear set 216 tothe second clutch 228 and the first clutch 226. A third shaft, quill orinterconnecting member 246 couples the first sun gear member 214C of thefirst planetary gear set 214 and the third sun gear member 218C of thethird planetary gear set 218 to the first clutch 226. A fourth shaft,quill or interconnecting member 248 couples the first planet carriermember 214B of the first planetary gear set 214 to the second clutch228. A fifth shaft, quill or interconnecting member 252 couples a thirdplanet carrier member 218A of the third planetary gear set 218 to afourth planet carrier member 220A of the fourth planetary gear set 220.The third planet carrier member 218A includes a plurality of planetgears 218D rotatably disposed thereon. The planet gears 218D areconfigured to each intermesh with both the sun gear member 218C and thering gear member 218B. The fourth planet carrier member 220A includes aplurality of pairs of planet gears 220D, 220E rotatably disposedthereon. The planet gears 220D are configured to each intermesh withboth the planet gears 220E and the ring gear member 220B. The planetgears 220E are configured to each intermesh with both the planet gears220D and the sun gear member 220C. A sixth shaft, quill orinterconnecting member 254 couples the fourth sun gear member 220C ofthe fourth planetary gear set 220 to the second brake 238.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation of the third embodiment ofthe eight speed automatic transmission 200 will be described. It will beappreciated that the automatic transmission 200 is capable oftransmitting torque from the input shaft or member 212 to the outputshaft or member 222 in eight forward speed or torque ratios and onereverse speed or torque ratio. Each forward and reverse speed or torqueratio is attained by engagement of a combination of three of theclutches and brakes as will be explained below. FIG. 9 is a truth tablepresenting the various combinations of clutches and brakes that areactivated or engaged to achieve the various gear states. Actualnumerical gear ratios of the various gear states are also presentedalthough it should be appreciated that these numerical values areexemplary only and that they may be adjusted over significant ranges toaccommodate various applications and operational criteria of theautomatic transmission 200.

To establish forward and reverse speed ratios, three torque transmittingdevices are engaged for each gear state. The engaged clutches and brakesare represented by an “X” in each respective row. For example, toestablish reverse gear, the first brake 236, the second brake 238 andthe third clutch 232 are engaged or activated. The first brake 236interconnects the second sun gear member 216B of the second planetarygear set 216 and the third ring gear member 218B of the third planetarygear set 218 to ground, stationary member, or transmission housing 240through the first shaft, quill or interconnecting member 242. The secondbrake 238 connects the fourth sun gear member 220C of the fourthplanetary gear set 220 to ground, stationary member, or transmissionhousing 240. The third clutch 232 interconnects the first planet carriermember 214B of the first planetary gear set 214 to the output shaft ormember 222 and the fourth ring gear member 220B of the fourth planetarygear set 220. Similarly, the eight forward ratios are achieved throughdifferent combinations of clutch and brake engagement as shown in FIG.9.

It will be appreciated that the operation and gear states of the thirdembodiment of the eight speed automatic transmission 200 assume, firstof all, that the brakes and clutches not specifically referenced in agiven gear state are inactive or disengaged and, second of all, thatduring gear member shifts, i.e., changes of gear state, between at leastadjacent gear states, a clutch or brake engaged or activated in bothgear states will remain engaged or activated.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature andvariations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A transmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first,second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, secondand third members; a first interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set withthe second member of the third planetary gear set; a secondinterconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member ofthe second planetary gear set with the first member of the thirdplanetary gear set; a third interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set withthe first member of the fourth planetary gear set; and five torquetransmitting devices each selectively engageable to interconnect one ofthe first members, second members, and third members with at least oneof another of the first members, second members, third members, and astationary member, and wherein the torque transmitting devices areselectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish atleast eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratiobetween the input member and the output member.
 2. The transmission ofclaim 1 wherein a first of the five torque transmitting devices isselectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first memberof the second planetary gear set and the first member of the thirdplanetary gear set with the second member of the first planetary gearset.
 3. The transmission of claim 2 wherein a second of the five torquetransmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the thirdmember of the second planetary gear set with at least one of the secondmember of the fourth planetary gear set and the output member.
 4. Thetransmission of claim 3 wherein a third of the five torque transmittingdevices is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of thefirst member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of thesecond planetary gear set with at least one of the third member of thethird planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetarygear set.
 5. The transmission of claim 4 wherein a fourth of the fivetorque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnectthe second member of the first planetary gear with the stationarymember.
 6. The transmission of claim 5 wherein a fifth of the fivetorque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnectthe third member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationarymember.
 7. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the first members are sungears, the second members are carrier members, and the third members arering gears.
 8. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the input member iscontinuously interconnected with the first member of the first planetarygear set and the second member of the second planetary gear set and theoutput member is continuously interconnected with the second member ofthe fourth planetary gear set.
 9. The transmission of claim 1 wherein afirst of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageableto interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set withthe third member of the second planetary gear set.
 10. The transmissionof claim 9 wherein a second of the five torque transmitting devices isselectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first memberof the second planetary gear set and the first member of the thirdplanetary gear set with the second member of the first planetary gearset.
 11. The transmission of claim 10 wherein a third of the five torquetransmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect at leastone of the second member of the fourth planetary gear set and the outputmember with the third member of the second planetary gear set.
 12. Thetransmission of claim 11 wherein a fourth of the five torquetransmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect at leastone of the third member of the first planetary gear set and the secondmember of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member. 13.The transmission of claim 12 wherein a fifth of the five torquetransmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the thirdmember of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member. 14.The transmission of claim 1 wherein the third member of the firstplanetary gear set, the first member of the second planetary gear set,the first member of the third planetary gear set, and the first memberof the fourth planetary gear set are sun gears, the first member of thefirst planetary gear set, the third member of the second planetary gearset, the second member of the third planetary gear set, and the secondmember of the fourth planetary gear set are carrier members, and thesecond member of the first planetary gear set, the second member of thesecond planetary gear set, the third member of the third planetary gearset, and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set are ringgears.
 15. The transmission of claim 1 wherein a first of the fivetorque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnectthe third member of the second planetary gear set with at least one ofthe second member of the third planetary gear set and the third memberof the first planetary gear set.
 16. The transmission of claim 15wherein a second of the five torque transmitting devices is selectivelyengageable to interconnect the third member of the second planetary gearset with the second member of the first planetary gear set.
 17. Thetransmission of claim 16 wherein a third of the five torque transmittingdevices is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of thesecond member of the fourth planetary gear set and the output memberwith the second member of the first planetary gear set.
 18. Thetransmission of claim 17 wherein a fourth of the five torquetransmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect at leastone of the first member of the second planetary gear set and the firstmember of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member. 19.The transmission of claim 1 wherein the third member of the firstplanetary gear set, the first member of the second planetary gear set,the second member of the third planetary gear set, and the third memberof the fourth planetary gear set are sun gears, the second member of thefirst planetary gear set, the second member of the second planetary gearset, the third member of the third planetary gear set, and the firstmember of the fourth planetary gear set are carrier members, and thefirst member of the first planetary gear set, the third member of thesecond planetary gear set, the first member of the third planetary gearset, and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set are ringgears.
 20. The transmission of claim 19 wherein a fifth of the fivetorque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnectthe third member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationarymember.
 21. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the stationary member isa transmission housing.
 22. A transmission comprising: an input member;an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gear setseach having first, second and third members, wherein the input member iscontinuously interconnected with the first member of the first planetarygear set and the second member of the second planetary gear set and theoutput member is continuously interconnected with the second member ofthe fourth planetary gear set; a first interconnecting membercontinuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetarygear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set; asecond interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the firstmember of the second planetary gear set with the first member of thethird planetary gear set; a third interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set withthe first member of the fourth planetary gear set; a first torquetransmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect at least oneof the first member of the second planetary gear set and the firstmember of the third planetary gear set with the second member of thefirst planetary gear set; a second torque transmitting deviceselectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the secondplanetary gear set with at least one of the second member of the fourthplanetary gear set and the output member; a third torque transmittingdevice selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the firstmember of the third planetary gear set and the first member of thesecond planetary gear set with at least one of the third member of thethird planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetarygear set; a fourth torque transmitting device selectively engageable tointerconnect the second member of the first planetary gear with astationary member; and a fifth torque transmitting device selectivelyengageable to interconnect the third member of the fourth planetary gearset with the stationary member, and wherein the torque transmittingdevices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three toestablish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reversespeed ratio between the input member and the output member.
 23. Thetransmission of claim 22 wherein the first members are sun gears, thesecond members are carrier members, and the third members are ringgears.
 24. A transmission comprising: an input member; an output member;first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first,second and third members, wherein the input member is continuouslyinterconnected with the first member of the first planetary gear set andthe second member of the second planetary gear set and the output memberis continuously interconnected with the second member of the fourthplanetary gear set; a first interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set withthe second member of the third planetary gear set; a secondinterconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member ofthe second planetary gear set with the first member of the thirdplanetary gear set; a third interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set withthe first member of the fourth planetary gear set; a first torquetransmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the secondmember of the first planetary gear set with the third member of thesecond planetary gear set; a second torque transmitting deviceselectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first memberof the second planetary gear set and the first member of the thirdplanetary gear set with the second member of the first planetary gearset; a third torque transmitting device selectively engageable tointerconnect at least one of the second member of the fourth planetarygear set and the output member with the third member of the secondplanetary gear set; a fourth torque transmitting device selectivelyengageable to interconnect at least one of the third member of the firstplanetary gear set and the second member of the third planetary gear setwith a stationary member; and a fifth torque transmitting deviceselectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the fourthplanetary gear set with the stationary member, and wherein the torquetransmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of atleast three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and atleast one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the outputmember.
 25. The transmission of claim 24 wherein the third member of thefirst planetary gear set, the first member of the second planetary gearset, the first member of the third planetary gear set, and the firstmember of the fourth planetary gear set are sun gears, the first memberof the first planetary gear set, the third member of the secondplanetary gear set, the second member of the third planetary gear set,and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set are carriermembers, and the second member of the first planetary gear set, thesecond member of the second planetary gear set, the third member of thethird planetary gear set, and the third member of the fourth planetarygear set are ring gears.
 26. A transmission comprising: an input member;an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gear setseach having first, second and third members, wherein the input member iscontinuously interconnected with the first member of the first planetarygear set and the second member of the second planetary gear set and theoutput member is continuously interconnected with the second member ofthe fourth planetary gear set; a first interconnecting membercontinuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetarygear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set; asecond interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the firstmember of the second planetary gear set with the first member of thethird planetary gear set; a third interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set withthe first member of the fourth planetary gear set; a first torquetransmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the thirdmember of the second planetary gear set with at least one of the secondmember of the third planetary gear set and the third member of the firstplanetary gear set; a second torque transmitting device selectivelyengageable to interconnect the third member of the second planetary gearset with the second member of the first planetary gear set; a thirdtorque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect atleast one of the second member of the fourth planetary gear set and theoutput member with the second member of the first planetary gear set; afourth torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnectat least one of the first member of the second planetary gear set andthe first member of the third planetary gear set with a stationarymember; and a fifth torque transmitting device selectively engageable tointerconnect the third member of the fourth planetary gear set with thestationary member, and wherein the torque transmitting devices areselectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish atleast eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratiobetween the input member and the output member.
 27. The transmission ofclaim 26 wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set, thefirst member of the second planetary gear set, the second member of thethird planetary gear set, and the third member of the fourth planetarygear set are sun gears, the second member of the first planetary gearset, the second member of the second planetary gear set, the thirdmember of the third planetary gear set, and the first member of thefourth planetary gear set are carrier members, and the first member ofthe first planetary gear set, the third member of the second planetarygear set, the first member of the third planetary gear set, and thesecond member of the fourth planetary gear set are ring gears.
 28. Atransmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first,second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, acarrier member, and a ring gear, wherein the input member iscontinuously interconnected with the sun gear of the first planetarygear set and the carrier member of the second planetary gear set and theoutput member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member ofthe fourth planetary gear set; a first interconnecting membercontinuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gearset with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set; a secondinterconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of thesecond planetary gear set with the sun gear of the third planetary gearset; a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting thering gear of the third planetary gear set with the sun gear of thefourth planetary gear set; a first torque transmitting deviceselectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gear ofthe second planetary gear set and the sun gear of the third planetarygear set with the carrier member of the first planetary gear set; asecond torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnectthe ring gear of the second planetary gear set with at least one of thecarrier member of the fourth planetary gear set and the output member; athird torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnectat least one of the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the sungear of the second planetary gear set with at least one of the ring gearof the third planetary gear set and the sun gear of the fourth planetarygear set; a fourth torque transmitting device selectively engageable tointerconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear with astationary member; and a fifth torque transmitting device selectivelyengageable to interconnect the ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset with the stationary member, and wherein the torque transmittingdevices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three toestablish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reversespeed ratio between the input member and the output member.
 29. Atransmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first,second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, acarrier member, and a ring gear, wherein the input member iscontinuously interconnected with the carrier member of the firstplanetary gear set and the ring gear of the second planetary gear setand the output member is continuously interconnected with the carriermember of the fourth planetary gear set; a first interconnecting membercontinuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gearset with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set; a secondinterconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of thesecond planetary gear set with the sun gear of the third planetary gearset; a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting thering gear of the third planetary gear set with the sun gear of thefourth planetary gear set; a first torque transmitting deviceselectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the firstplanetary gear set with the carrier member of the second planetary gearset; a second torque transmitting device selectively engageable tointerconnect at least one of the sun gear of the second planetary gearset and the sun gear of the third planetary gear set with the ring gearof the first planetary gear set; a third torque transmitting deviceselectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the carriermember of the fourth planetary gear set and the output member with thecarrier member of the second planetary gear set; a fourth torquetransmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect at least oneof the sun gear of the first planetary gear set and the carrier memberof the third planetary gear set with a stationary member; and a fifthtorque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect thering gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member,and wherein the torque transmitting devices are selectively engageablein combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forwardspeed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the inputmember and the output member.
 30. A transmission comprising: an inputmember; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having a sun gear, a carrier member, and a ring gear, whereinthe input member is continuously interconnected with the ring gear ofthe first planetary gear set and the carrier member of the secondplanetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnectedwith the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set; a firstinterconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of thefirst planetary gear set with the sun gear of the third planetary gearset; a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting thesun gear of the second planetary gear set with the ring gear of thethird planetary gear set; a third interconnecting member continuouslyinterconnecting the carrier member of the third planetary gear set withthe carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set; a first torquetransmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gearof the second planetary gear set with at least one of the sun gear ofthe third planetary gear set and the sun gear of the first planetarygear set; a second torque transmitting device selectively engageable tointerconnect the ring gear of the second planetary gear set with thecarrier member of the first planetary gear set; a third torquetransmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect at least oneof the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set and the output memberwith the carrier member of the first planetary gear set; a fourth torquetransmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect at least oneof the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear ofthe third planetary gear set with a stationary member; and a fifthtorque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect thesun gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member,and wherein the torque transmitting devices are selectively engageablein combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forwardspeed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the inputmember and the output member.